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The Economist's review of my book reveals how white people still refuse to believe black people about being black | Edward E Baptisthttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/07/economist-review-my-book-slavery
<p>This is what happens when racism goes viral. This is why, somehow, it still can</p><p>In 1845, Frederick Douglass, a fugitive from slavery, <a href="http://docsouth.unc.edu/neh/douglass/support16.html">joined dozens of white passengers on the British ship Cambria in New York harbor</a>. Somewhere out on the Atlantic, the other passengers discovered that the African American activist in their midst had just published a sensational autobiography. They convinced the captain to host a sort of salon, wherein Douglass would tell them his life story. But when the young black man stood up to talk, a group of Southern slaveholders, on their way to Britain for vacation or business or both, confronted him. Every time Douglass said something about what it was like to be enslaved, they shouted him down: <em>Lies! Lies!</em> Slaves were treated well, insisted the slaveholders; after all, they said, the masters remained financially interested in the health of their human “property”.</p><p><a href="http://www.economist.com/news/books/21615864-how-slaves-built-american-capitalism-blood-cotton">In a review of my book about slavery and capitalism published the other day</a>, the Economist treated it the same way that the tourist enslavers treated the testimony of Frederick Douglass on that slave-era ship long ago. In doing so, the Economist revealed just how many white people remain reluctant to believe black people about the experience of being black.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/07/economist-review-my-book-slavery">Continue reading...</a>Race issuesThe EconomistBooksSlaveryMagazinesNewspapers & magazinesHistoryIdentity politicsMon, 08 Sep 2014 03:05:42 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/07/economist-review-my-book-slaveryPhotograph: Gareth Sloan / Flickr via Creative CommonsThe Economist treated a new book based on black testimony the same way enslavers treated the testimony of Frederick Douglass.Photograph: Gareth Sloan / Flickr via Creative CommonsThe Economist treated a new book based on black testimony the same way enslavers treated the testimony of Frederick Douglass.Edward E Baptist2014-09-08T03:05:42ZShould the UK make buying sex illegal?https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/23/uk-buying-sex-illegal-prostitution
Joan Smith and Melissa Gira Grant debate whether the UK should adopt the 'Nordic model' and reform prostitution laws<br /><br />• <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/apr/21/outlaw-buying-sex-caroline-spelman-nordic-model-prostitution" title="">Outlaw buying sex, says Caroline Spelman</a><br />• <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/mar/15/will-nobody-listen-to-the-sex-workers-prostitution" title="">Will nobody listen to the sex workers?</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/23/uk-buying-sex-illegal-prostitution">Continue reading...</a>ProstitutionCaroline SpelmanNorwayThe EconomistUK newsWed, 23 Apr 2014 08:17:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/23/uk-buying-sex-illegal-prostitutionPhotograph: Iain Masterton/Alamy'It’s the people most likely to face the consequences of these laws who oppose them: women who currently sell sex.' Photograph: Iain Masterton/AlamyPhotograph: Iain Masterton/Alamy'It’s the people most likely to face the consequences of these laws who oppose them: women who currently sell sex.' Photograph: Iain Masterton/AlamyJoan Smith and Melissa Gira Grant2014-04-23T08:17:00ZIf native advertising is so harmless, why does it rely on misleading readers? | Bob Garfieldhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/25/yahoo-opens-gemini-native-advertising
It's hard to read the latest gimmick for infusing a dying industry with cash as anything other than journalism selling its soul<p>The devil walks into a bar and sits at a table with eight newspaper and magazine publishers plus one strange little fellow in shabby, dated robes. The devil says, "How'd you all like to get some advertising revenue at higher rates than what you've been fetching for the past five or six years?"</p><p>The publishers crowd in to hear to his offer. All they need do in exchange is make the advertising look similar to the surrounding editorial matter. "Can we label it as advertising?" one publisher asks. <br>"You can label it 'sponsored content,'" the devil replies.<br>"And it will be worthy?" chimes in another publisher.<br>"Oh yes," says the devil. "My clients don't benefit if people don't read the stuff."<br>"But won't this confuse our readers," ventures another publisher, "and even deceive them into reading brand propaganda when they're expecting arms-length journalism?" </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/25/yahoo-opens-gemini-native-advertising">Continue reading...</a>AdvertisingYahooMediaEthicsNew York TimesWashington PostThe EconomistHuffington PostTime IncForbes magazineTue, 25 Feb 2014 15:45:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/25/yahoo-opens-gemini-native-advertisingPhotograph: Graham Turner/Guardian46% of online display advertising is wasted because it is not seen by consumers, according to Comscore. Photograph: Graham Turner for the GuardianPhotograph: Graham Turner/Guardian46% of online display advertising is wasted because it is not seen by consumers, according to Comscore. Photograph: Graham Turner for the GuardianBob Garfield2014-02-25T15:45:00ZFrance as Europe's next timebomb? Not with Hollande in charge | Agnès Poirierhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/nov/18/france-timebomb-hollande-economist-warnings
The Economist's recent warnings about my country ignore the opportunity President Hollande has to effect reform<p>This week's issue of the Economist is not lamenting the decline of the French bakery. With a bunch of baguettes strapped to dynamite on its cover, the British magazine is in fact warning that France may be <a href="http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21566640-why-france-could-become-biggest-danger-europes-single-currency-time-bomb-heart" title="">Europe's next timebomb</a>. And to add a little touch of drama, the magazine's editorial reminds readers that the last time it pointed the finger at a European country for its bad accounting (<a href="http://www.economist.com/node/18780831?story_id=18780831" title="">Italy, in June 2011</a>), its premier, Silvio Berlusconi, was shown the door just a few months later. Be very afraid, François Hollande: the Economist is watching you.</p><p>The financial markets bible, alongside the Financial Times, has never warmed to, let alone understood, France's exceptions. <em>Colbertisme</em>, <em>dirigisme</em>, the central role of the state are, for those market-friendly publications, anathema. France is bound to collapse at some point, it is inevitable. And yet, despite the Little Ultra-Liberal Guidebook's rules, France is still standing. So, on occasion, the Economist has to remind its readers that it's only a question of time and that France's exception will soon come to an end.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/nov/18/france-timebomb-hollande-economist-warnings">Continue reading...</a>FranceFrançois HollandeEurozone crisisThe EconomistMediaBusinessEuropeWorld newsSun, 18 Nov 2012 18:30:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/nov/18/france-timebomb-hollande-economist-warningsPhotograph: Pool/REUTERS'François Hollande has more power than any other European head of state to implement his policies.' Photograph: Pool/ReutersPhotograph: Pool/REUTERS'François Hollande has more power than any other European head of state to implement his policies.' Photograph: Pool/ReutersAgnès Poirier2012-11-18T18:30:01ZFor crying out loud, the Economist shouldn't patronise South Africa | Emma Brockeshttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/emma-brockes-blog/2012/oct/25/south-africa-economist-article
Hollywood-cliché headlines undermine the efforts of Mamphela Ramphele and others to confront a nation's problems<p>It must have been a slow day on the Economist subs desk when they came up with the cover line for this week's issue. Can <a href="http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21564846-south-africa-sliding-downhill-while-much-rest-continent-clawing-its-way-up">a story about the dismal state of South Africa</a> really have gone out under "Cry, the Beloved Country"?*</p><p>I'm looking forward to reading the Economist's coverage of political and social problems in Japan via a setting Empire of the Sun, or an Evita-based lead into a piece on Argentina. I'm in South Africa at the moment and the general response to this dated, hand-wringy headline was – white, black, across the board - "Oh piss off, you condescending arses."**</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/emma-brockes-blog/2012/oct/25/south-africa-economist-article">Continue reading...</a>South AfricaThe EconomistMamphela RampheleThu, 25 Oct 2012 16:34:10 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/emma-brockes-blog/2012/oct/25/south-africa-economist-articlePhotograph: Martial Trezzini/APMamphela Ramphele, a former director of the World Bank, is seen by many as the president that South Africa needs. Photograph: Martial Trezzini/APPhotograph: Martial Trezzini/APMamphela Ramphele, a former director of the World Bank, is seen by many as the president that South Africa needs. Photograph: Martial Trezzini/APEmma Brockes in Cape Town2012-10-25T16:34:10ZNewsweek's print edition goes in bonfire of Tina's vanities | Michael Wolffhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/oct/18/newsweek-print-edition-bonfire-media-vanities
It was obvious before Barry Diller put Tina Brown in charge that Newsweek was finished. But dreams of magazine glory die hard<p>Four years ago, on a public panel with Johnnie Roberts, Newsweek's then media reporter, I bet him dinner that Newsweek wouldn't be around in five years. A lot of <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/04/vanity-fairs-michael-wolf_n_105285.html">askance fumfering by media types ensued</a>. But I've been right twice on my bet: the Washington Post, Newsweek's longtime owner, dumped it for scrap two years ago; and its present managers announced Thursday that they were dumping it, too.</p><p>There's a lot of stuff being <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/10/18/a-turn-of-the-page-for-newsweek.html">said by Newsweek's current editor, Tina Brown</a>, about the brand continuing, and digital this and that, and the future being rosy, albeit different … but that's all bunk. There isn't any publishing professional who hasn't known for, well, at least four years, that Newsweek was over, kaput, finished. What is most amazing and preposterous is that anyone would have made the effort to pretend otherwise.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/oct/18/newsweek-print-edition-bonfire-media-vanities">Continue reading...</a>Media businessDigital mediaMediaUS newsMagazinesThe EconomistTime magazineBusinessWashington PostThu, 18 Oct 2012 16:58:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/oct/18/newsweek-print-edition-bonfire-media-vanitiesPhotograph: Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty ImagesNewsweek, owned by Barry Diller, announced Thursday it would end its 80-year run as a print magazine, becoming digital subscription only. Photograph: Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty ImagesNewsweek, owned by Barry Diller, announced Thursday it would end its 80-year run as a print magazine, becoming digital subscription only. Photograph: Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty ImagesMichael Wolff2012-10-18T16:58:00ZFinancial Times: Bloomberg, Thomson and Murdoch vie for Pearson's prize | Michael Wolffhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/oct/09/financial-times-bloomberg-reuters-murdoch
Competition to buy the prestige title is intense – with Murdoch still capable of challenging the two business news titans<p>The big worry among rich men has been that Marjorie Scardino, <a href="http://www.managementtoday.co.uk/news/1153169/Britains-top-female-boss-Marjorie-Scardino-resigns/">the long-time chief of Pearson</a>, was going to try to circumvent the company's retirement policy and stay on in her job – which would have meant that the Financial Times, which she has long refused to sell, would stay out of reach.</p><p>But she's decided to accede to the inevitable, and now, by common assumption, the FT, the publication rich men love most, will soon be on the market.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/oct/09/financial-times-bloomberg-reuters-murdoch">Continue reading...</a>Financial TimesMediaThe EconomistNewspapersPearsonPearsonMichael BloombergRupert MurdochReutersBloombergNews CorporationWall Street JournalPenguinMergers and acquisitionsUS newsWorld newsMarjorie ScardinoBusinessMedia businessTue, 09 Oct 2012 19:40:06 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/oct/09/financial-times-bloomberg-reuters-murdochPhotograph: Jessica Rinaldi/ReutersMichael Wolff: 'Murdoch has often obsessed over how it might affect the Wall Street Journal if Bloomberg were to buy the FT.' Photograph: Jessica Rinaldi/ReutersPhotograph: Jessica Rinaldi/ReutersMichael Wolff: 'Murdoch has often obsessed over how it might affect the Wall Street Journal if Bloomberg were to buy the FT.' Photograph: Jessica Rinaldi/ReutersMichael Wolff2012-10-09T19:40:06ZOn Kashmir India acts as a police state, not as a democracy | Mirza Waheedhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/may/29/kashmir-india-police-state
Delhi has been unwilling to solve this tragic and brutal conflict, and has scuttled any attempt at meaningful discourse<p>Many years ago, I met two journalists from India in London and we found ourselves talking about <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/kashmir" title="Kashmir">Kashmir</a>. Mostly, they listened patiently to my impassioned tale of what goes on, but the moment I touched upon the brutal counter-insurgency methods employed by the Indian security apparatus in the disputed territory – among them notorious "catch-and-kill" operations to execute suspected militants – they looked incredulous, made a quick excuse and left. Later, I learned that at least one of them believed that Kashmiris liked to exaggerate the excesses of the Indian armed forces.</p><p>In the reaction of those two men, I had witnessed the frightening success of India's policy of denial and misrepresentation on Kashmir. India's decision to censor the Economist last week, following the publication of a <a href="http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailychart/2011/05/indian_pakistani_and_chinese_border_disputes" title="">map that shows the disputed borders of Kashmir</a>, represents two unsurprising but ominous things: that the country's age-old intransigence over Kashmir still runs deep; and its willingness to curb freedom of speech over what it sees as sensitive matters of national interest. On Kashmir India continues to behave as a police state, not as the champion of democracy and freedom that it intends to be.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/may/29/kashmir-india-police-state">Continue reading...</a>IndiaKashmirWorld newsThe EconomistSun, 29 May 2011 20:00:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/may/29/kashmir-india-police-statePhotograph: Farooq Khan/EPAKashmiri women confront Indian soliders during a protest over the killing of a student in Srinagar. Photograph: Farooq Khan/EPAPhotograph: Farooq Khan/EPAKashmiri women confront Indian soliders during a protest over the killing of a student in Srinagar. Photograph: Farooq Khan/EPAMirza Waheed2011-05-29T20:00:01ZThe bankers lied. And Darling, a mere puppet on their string, knows it | Simon Jenkinshttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/mar/11/banks-lied-darling-puppet-city
Britain has paid a horrific price for allowing the City to dictate credit policy. Yet there is no inquiry, no questioning, only silence<p>Still no inquiry. Still no answers. A trillion pounds has been devoted over the past 18 months to protect Britain's financial system from alleged Armageddon, with not a murmur of value for money. This stupefying sum is more than has ever been spent on&nbsp;any project by any government in British history.</p><p>We know where the money came from but we do not know if it was necessary, nor who now has it. We know only that, a year on, Britain is experiencing a worse recession than any comparable country. The lack of accountability, the sheer lack of curiosity from the political community, is amazing.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/mar/11/banks-lied-darling-puppet-city">Continue reading...</a>Banks and building societiesMoneyRecessionExecutive pay and bonusesRoyal Bank of ScotlandBusinessLloyds Banking GroupHBOSNorthern RockAlistair DarlingPoliticsGordon BrownPaul MynersLehman BrothersBBCMediaUK newsUS economyGlobal economyGlobal recessionJohn McFallWarren BuffettAIGThe SpectatorBank of EnglandThe EconomistThu, 11 Mar 2010 23:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/mar/11/banks-lied-darling-puppet-citySimon Jenkins2010-03-11T23:00:00Z